- Seller: David B (Contact)
- Location: Berlin, Connecticut
- Mileage: 75,000 Shown
- Chassis #: GHN5VF3840216
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 1800 Inline 4-Cylinder
- Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
There are cheaper ways to buy a convertible, and there are faster ways to enjoy a winding back road, but few cars deliver the simple, mechanical fun of an MGB. This 1975 example adds several qualities that are becoming increasingly difficult to find: original Harvest Gold paint, more than twenty years with its current owner, a reportedly rust-free body, wire wheels, and a few well-chosen performance upgrades. Located in Berlin, Connecticut, it is offered as a Barn Finds Classified with a clean title and an asking price of $7,900.
The seller purchased this MGB locally roughly twenty years ago, although it is believed to have originally come from the South. Its Harvest Gold finish is said to be original and still presents well after five decades. There are chips and other age-related imperfections, along with a couple of dents in the hood from it being closed incorrectly, but the car has escaped the extensive corrosion that can turn an inexpensive MGB into an expensive restoration.
The seller describes the body as rust- and rot-free. There is some surface rust beneath the driver’s floor mat and on a few suspension components, but the underside photos suggest this British roadster has survived better than many of its contemporaries. The rubber bumpers remain in good condition, while a lower front fairing and wire wheels added by a previous owner give the car a slightly sportier appearance.
The black vinyl interior is also largely original. The driver’s seat has a tear in the outer bolster and a small hole in the cushion, and a mouse left two small holes in the headrest covers. A Moto-Lita steering wheel was installed early in the current owner’s stewardship and provides a more purposeful view from the driver’s seat.
The folding top has rarely been used during the seller’s ownership. Its rear windows are somewhat stiff and yellowed, and there are two small tears where the material passes over the top-frame rails. However, the MGB has reportedly avoided wet-weather use, and the seller notes that the top’s rear windows may respond well to polishing.
The real reason to consider this MGB is found beneath the hood. Its 1.8-liter inline-four is fitted with a sidedraft two-barrel Mikuni carburetor, a stainless-steel header, and a two-inch stainless exhaust system. The seller says that a couple of pumps of the accelerator, a pull of the choke, and a turn of the key bring the engine quickly to life, with oil pressure registering between 50 and 70 PSI.
The exhaust is described as producing a low, mellow note rather than an obnoxious drone. Power reaches the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission, and the seller states that the car shifts easily, drives well, and stops properly through front disc and rear drum brakes. The engine is also said to be clean and to leak very little oil, which is an encouraging claim for any classic British automobile.
Most of the electrical equipment functions, including the gauges, emergency flashers, headlights, heater fan, horn, and passenger-side turn signal. The driver-side signal does not currently work, although its bulbs illuminate, suggesting the problem may be related to the flasher unit. The windshield wipers are also inoperative. Routine maintenance has been performed during the current ownership, and the alternator and fuel pump have been replaced. The odometer shows 75,000 miles, although actual mileage is unknown. Included in the sale are several MG manuals, the original jack, a knock-off tool and hammer, and a full tonneau cover.
This MGB is not a freshly restored showpiece, and that may be its greatest strength. Its original paint, age-related marks, and largely stock interior mean the next owner should be able to drive it without worrying about every stone chip or parking-lot blemish. Meanwhile, the Mikuni carburetor, stainless exhaust, wire wheels, and Moto-Lita steering wheel add just enough character to make every trip feel special.
At $7,900, this 1975 MGB offers an affordable route into classic sports-car ownership. Drop the top, listen to the stainless exhaust, and take the long way home! Isn’t that what owning a little British roadster is all about?
Lots to like here… but then, I’ve been a fan of the ‘B for forever and have had at least one in my fleet the last 45 years. Looks clean (although, as with any ‘B, a personal inspection would be a must), reasonable mileage, reasonable price. Ya, its got the buggy bumpers, but my opinion on those has softened over the years. Harvest gold looks good on the ‘B, and so “of the period”. Personally, I’d ditch the wires… had a car with them once and they could be a hassle. Didn’t like having to “maintain” wheels. I’d keep the aftermarket steering wheel. New, easily obtainable door cards would help the interior. This one is not too far away from me, and if I had any more room in the barn, I might just go get it… just ’cause… but I don’t unfortunately. GLWS…
If I was selling this MGB I would make sure the turn signals work along with the wipers, most important if you want to sell a clean car;’
Hi everyone,
I’m representing this car for the owner/seller.
It’s a solid driver and the old saying about it being more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow definitely fits this car. They handle well, are low to the ground and are just plain fun to drive. Suspension/Steering are tight on this one. The engine sounds great and performs well with the minor mods made to it.
The headrests are both fine, its the pockets FOR the headrests, on the tonneau cover, that have the mouse holes in them.
I’ll be keeping an eye on the comments, any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
I have a 1975 MGB. Although mine is no where close to stock. Several drawbacks to this car besides the stated needed repairs. This year is the worst handling MGB ever produced. Bad enough with the raised suspension for bumper height laws. (Which can be rectifed on a weekend) But this is the only year not to have a front sway bar. (Easily corrected as everything is there to bolt one on. Highly recommend the kit from Moss using the larger than stock bar.)
This car was built for the 55 mph highways at the time. So, overdrive would really come in handy for today’s highway use.
I agree with the wire wheel p.i.t.a. situation. Yes, cool looking, but not practical in today’s market.
The carburetion, header and exhaust are a huge positive. As is the steering wheel.
I know it sounds like I’m not a fan of this car. But I think that anyone that would like to have this car needs to know what they are getting.
I own my MBG and spent many hours making improvements and modifications because it was not rusty. In my opinion, any NON-RUSTY MGB is worth having, just for the fun factor!
I like this car, but some people hate the rubber bumpers. Can those be “easily” replaced with metal.
“Easily” is a relative term here… and just how easy will depend on your body work skills. There are conversion “kits” available from the likes of Moss and such, in the $1500 range… but there will be panel cutting, welding, filling and ultimately paint work involved. So if you can’t do that type of stuff, you’ll be paying a restoration shop to do it (I doubt one would find a typical collision repair shop that would do it). So all in and paying someone else, expect as high as $5000+. YMMV.
I did the change over on my MGB. I will never do another. Both ends of the car require body work. The front is not so bad, except that the turn signal lamps are different than the Chrome Bumper cars. (which wr will now call cbc) they are larger and can only be used outside of the holes. But the original lamps are too small for the holes. So major body work required there. I just left mine kind of fitted into the existing holes and it is not shiny and pretty, but not terrible looking. The rear is even worse. Under the tail lamps is just a flat depression. No extension of the body “bulge” like a “cbc”. I ordered the kit from Moss and it was a total waste of money. The “extensions” are from replacement pieces for a GT. They are about 40% too small. I ended up making mine from scratch! I never have had body expertise but I did the best I could. And had nothing but positive comments on the completed project. (and they would tell me if It looked bad!) My job looked good enough to be in the local club gallery. And it was the car used in the advertising video for the National MGB meet in Reno. (The MGB driving under the Reno Arch.) The rubber bumpers are not that heavy. The original chrome bumpers are very light (tin foil,) The early ’74 chrome bumpers like the ones I used on my car are probably the same weight as the rubber bumpers. (Probably twice the thickness of the original bumpers.) They didn’t start with the rubber bumpers until roughly January 1974. I have seen MGBs with body color rubber bumpers and depending on the color look decent. (better than regular black) I have also seen MGBs with the bumpers removed and a “Sebring kit installed which is what I would do if I ever ended up with a different MGB. The Sebring kit has a very cool front airdam and a rear aero look body cover. Both pieces (there may be more than 2) are fiberglass and will need to be painted. But in my opinion are really cool looking.
Here’s the reason I was asking. Maybe 5 years ago, so it was probably 10 years ago, a friend bought 3 Bug Eye Sprites in pieces. He was going to put them together to make one bug eye sprite.
They’re in his barn, his wife doesn’t know about it and nothing has been done.
So last fall we were at a vintage race and there was a Spridget with a Bug Eye front end.
I suggested he do that. So I found 3 Midgets on facebook marketplace. One was $2500, one was $5,000 and one was $9,000.
We went to look at the $5,000 car. It was parked on a slope. I’m 81. I could get into it, but needed help getting out. The owner started it for us, but nobody drove us. He asked “Would you take $4500?”
And he bought it.
I wish I’d talked him out of it. There were videos of the $2500 car being driven.
So where did he put it? My barn. We couldn’t even get it started.
His wife still doesn’t know about the 3 Bug Eyes, but she won’t let him bring it home until he gets rid of something.
So the reason I asked is that I think he would have been better off buying the yellow rubber bumper MGB.